Thorchain

THORChain experienced significant growth in liquidity, users, new features, and integrations in 2023. In 2024, THORChain aims to continue scaling and delivering as the industry's largest native asset settlement backbone for Bitcoin.

ShapeShift introduces lending feature where users can borrow against their Bitcoin or Ether and receive a USD-denominated debt in the asset of their choice. The lending service comes with no liquidation, no interest, and no expiration.

The Thorchain community believes that there are those who will take the easy road by using wrapped Bitcoin and those who will do the work to use native Bitcoin and provide real value to their users. They see this as an opportunity for every decentralized application (dApp) to make a difference.

The majority of today's blockchain industry is using centralized rails, which contradicts its purpose of decentralization, permissionlessness, and trust minimization. The future will see central exchanges acting as a wrapper and asset issuer for decentralized exchange rails.

Web3 Wallet developers are focusing on providing the best self-sovereign wallet user experience instead of having unrestricted access to users' funds like traditional banks.

Trust Wallet will soon start charging affiliate fees, with other wallets being made aware of the potential benefits they may be missing out on.

Despite various market cycles, including bear markets in 2018 and 2019, THORChain has managed to survive and even thrive. The project experienced a mini-run in 2020 and a mega-run in 2021. In 2022, THORChain faced a shock bear market but has since consolidated. Currently, the project is in a mini-bull market in 2024 and forecasts a mega-bull market in 2025. However, THORChain acknowledges that it will need to navigate 1-2 more bear-bull cycles to secure its position as the top project. The journey is not for the faint-hearted.

The cross-chain DEX market is immense and requires multiple protocols to address it. Cross-chain DEXs are resilient and adaptable. All challenges will be overcome and solutions delivered. The combination of CEX and DEX can create a successful brand, and being the first to release could solidify their position.

Cross-chain liquidity protocols are facing significant challenges but offer immense potential. Developers in this field play a crucial role and are highly valued.

The combination of centralized exchanges (CEX) and decentralized exchanges (DEX) can provide a winning solution for cross-chain liquidity. While CEX's have a large user base, DEX's offer the infrastructure for safe and secure cross-chain transactions without risks like re-hypothecation, rugs, or misappropriation. The first platform to release this combination may establish their brand as a leader in the industry.